Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, ESMA, inaugurated the interactive Halal map, the first of its kind worldwide, on Monday in Dubai.

The minister confirmed that the UAE is currently leading global efforts to assess the size of the Islamic economy sector through a specialised study being undertaken by the concerned authorities in the UAE. It will be completed by the end of 2018 in related sectors, including food commodities, finance and Islamic insurance, as well as the quality and quality of life in the country.

“The UAE is focussed on becoming a global leader in the halal industry and has taken pioneering steps in this field,” he said on the sidelines of the opening of the third session of the International Halal Industry Forum in Dubai.

The UAE is aiming to become a major player in the global halal industry, whether in import, production, manufacturing or re-export. The UAE Central Bank obtained the approval of the UAE Cabinet and will deal with all the decisions related to the halal industry so that this body ensures that the decisions and procedures are in line with the provisions of Islamic law.

ESMA developed the interactive Halal map accreditation and assessment, and the geographical positioning of the regions according to the world map, facilitating global trade and building a solid ground for the manufacture of halal products in food commodities, cosmetics and slaughterhouses.

Abdullah Al Maeeni, Director-General of ESMA, said that this innovative interactive platform is one of the innovations that ESMA has worked on over the past months. It enables the local market to provide halal products worthy of consumer confidence as well as a secure information window for the growing number of consumers of Halal products around the world, he added.

During the five-day Gulfood 2018 exhibition, ESMA will review legislation and technical regulations related to various food products and activities. Al Maeeni explained that UAE standards are an important element in raising the quality of food products traded in the UAE markets and maintaining public health and consumer safety. – Wam